Decibel (dB) Converter
Decibel (dB) Converter
Convert decibels to an amplitude ratio and percentage, or a ratio back to dB. Finally make sense of what a gain change in dB actually does to a signal.
What a dB change really does
Decibels are logarithmic, so the same dB step is not a fixed amount of level. A change of +6 dB doubles the amplitude, while -6 dB halves it. This converter shows the exact ratio and percentage for any dB value.
Quick dB reference
| dB | Amplitude | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| +6 dB | 2.0x | Twice the amplitude |
| +3 dB | 1.41x | Double the power |
| 0 dB | 1.0x | No change |
| -3 dB | 0.71x | Half the power |
| -6 dB | 0.5x | Half the amplitude |
| -12 dB | 0.25x | Quarter amplitude |
| -20 dB | 0.1x | One tenth |
| -60 dB | 0.001x | Effectively silent |
FAQ
Why is +6 dB double, not +3?
Amplitude uses 20 times the log, so +6 dB is a factor of two. Power uses 10 times the log, where +3 dB is double the power.
Is +10 dB twice as loud?
Roughly, yes. Perceived loudness is subjective, but about +10 dB is commonly described as twice as loud.
Is it free?
Yes, free forever.
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